Coralville Civil Service

Coralville Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 25, 2019 Call to Order Commission Chairperson Fred Fevold called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present were Commission Members Eve Casserly, Kyle McEvilly, Marti Mount (via Skype), Alex Taylor , Parks Superintendent Alex Buhmeyer, and Parks and Recreation Director Sherri Proud. Citizen Comments none Approval of Minutes Commission Member Casserly made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 28, 2019, Commission Member Taylor seconded the motion; unanimous approval. 2019 Projects Parks and Recreation Superintendent Proud and Parks Superintendent Buhmeyer targeted the spring projects: • M.A. Ewalt Recreation Area – The project will include a designated parking lot of six parking slots and two ADA parking stalls within the nature area vicinity. The parking lot will include a directional entrance and exit; recommendations will be considered for trail access with a lane pull through for ease. Non-motorized water craft only is permitted on the pond. Monies are targeted from both FY19 and FY20. Projected in the future, a trail behind Costco will expand from the area. A bridge and benches will be recommended on the north end. Unfortunately, the Ewalt Trail will not connect with Hwy 965 given the storm sewer area west of Coral Court apartments. It will go up Jones Boulevard and then over. • Trail Projects – ICOR and the City of Coralville, with funds being provided by a Community Foundation of Johnson County grant, was secured for trail development of paved and single track trails and the information kiosk at Tom Harkin trailhead. Technical features will be installed which will include progressive bike ramps within the six mile direct path through the woods. A grand opening will be held with bike events and activities on May 23. • Clear Creek Trail – The trail running from end of current trail by Deer Creek Road to the I80 underpass has been graded. The City is expecting Streb Concrete to start paving this trail to Coralville Creekside Ballpark at any time. The area from I380 underpass on the north side to I80 will also be paved this spring. The underpass will remain unpaved until the bridgework is completed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. • Woodpecker Single Track Trail - Discussion was held regarding the popularity of the area but no formal trail traffic counters are utilized to determine usership. There are GPS apps and the Strava app which can provide information related to who utilizes the trail. This area is being targeted by bike groups, family usage, sanctioned running events, National Guard trainings, and for bird watching events. Viral marketing will occur with blue feature cautions related to the element of difficulty and elevations. • Flow Trail design work at Cycle Cross Course – The projected two mile course is included in the FY20 budget and is a trend in off road cycling. It is a natural surface trail using the terrain along with berms, switchbacks, and banked earth curvatures so that you can ride and use the natural flow to navigate the course. Trail builders take care to make sure the trail is built to be sustainable and resist erosion. • Clear Creek – The stream bank mitigation of Clear Creek will include prairie type plantings with rocks for the development of a ripple pool. Boulders will be placed from Creekside Ball Park to Altmaier Farms. Discussion was held regarding maintenance of these areas utilizing a john boat and tree grinder. • North Ridge Park – The railroad tie planting bed will be transitioned to limestone rock on the south east side of the park. Native grasses will be added to this area. Signage will be renovated beginning at North Ridge and continuing throughout the city in the FY2020 budget. • Altmaier Family Farm – Budget consideration for an archery range by the City and manpowered by a Scout project is being discussed. The Altmaier family has verbally committed to providing 3-5 benches during the upcoming summer. • Aquatic Center – Staff is exploring the renovation of the yellow tiles on the front columns. • Cemetery – Financial support has not been secured for the cemetery sign and fencing enhancements. Council Report Council Member Dodds was not present for the meeting. Director’s Report Parks and Recreation Director Proud announced that the summer lunch program not happen this year and a summer snack and activity program will replace it. Community partnerships with local businesses have committed to providing 30 of the 50 days of summer snacks. Budget funds will cover the remaining twenty days and will also be incorporated in teaching kids how to prepare healthy snacks. Target goal for attendance is to average fifty kids per day. Spring IPRA Conference will be held in Des Moines.  In celebrating bike month, an activity guide will be featured with special events: • Bike Safety Rodeo at Kate Wickham – May 1 • National Bike to School Day – May 8 • Bike Maintenance 101 Classes – May 13 and June 20 • Bike Match Ride – A morning breakfast with commuting host riders sharing best routes across the community and then going out to try those rides. Discussion was shared at varied routes and their challenges from one site to another. A Think Bicycles mini grant was secured to assist with breakfast cost and to provide a blinking flasher for every rider. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held at Camp Cardinal at Tom Harkin Woodpecker Trail on May 23 for the mountain bike trail. Discussion was held as regarding the efforts targeting Coralville as being a bicycle friendly community and how Google maps can be utilized for trails and distances. The City of Coralville is focusing on chemical reduction in the park systems by supporting the program 100 Grannies who Care. This program embraces being pesticide free. The term pesticide actually refers to those chemicals which treat and kill bugs or other pests so Director Proud prefers the term “chemical free”. Turf specialist Kyle Moehlis has focused on outcompeting weeds through overseeding turf and doing extra aerations and these cultural practices will be tried at North Ridge, Central Park, and Kiddy Korral for the next two years to see how the turf areas respond. Although there may not be cost savings, the practices support parks which are within residential areas or adjacent to schools. Aesthetic and weed maintenance has been included within trail borders. Central Park, which is next to an ICCSD school, then meshes with the chemical free practice as adopted by the school district. (Note that ICCSD chemical exception includes athletic turfs). Discussion was held regarding public notice of these practices and how neighbors will react if weeds are perceived to be creeping onto private property. Staff will photograph and monitor these parks carefully over the next two years. Divots will be open for the lunch hour starting with the City Chamber lunch on April 1; the full menu and hours will happen the Monday after Easter. Commission Comments Commission Member Eve Casserly Commission Member Casserly noted that the seniors were appreciative of the banquet chairs which were acquired through the Marriott renovation for the Recreation Center and CCPA dressing rooms. Commission Member Fred Fevold No additional comments Commission Member Kyle McEvilly No additional comments. Commission Member Marti Mount No additional comments. Commission Member Alex Taylor Commission Member Taylor inquired about the impact of the flooding. Proud and Buhmeyer reported that only a few trails were closed. Regarding land areas, there was little damage except for just wet sites which impacted mowing. Brown Deer opened and operated with just the cart path only. . Adjournment Commission Member Taylor made the motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.; Commission Member Casserly seconded the motion; unanimous approval. Next Meeting: April 15, 2019